The former Newcastle and Tottenham player, now 48, said he'd seen off the drugs and taken a cab to woods near the town of Rothbury, where Moat had been cornered in 2010.

Steroid addict Moat went on the run after gunning down his former girlfriend's new lover and shooting and blinding policeman David Rathband.

Many remember the bizarre moment Gazza turned up armed with a cooked chicken and a fishing rod, which he offered as bizarre gifts to the crazed former bouncer, who later shot himself as cops closed in.

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On Monday night, Gazza recalled the incident at a one-off show in front of a Tyneside theatre audience: “You’ve got to realise I’m half cut anyway, sitting in the living room, I’ve got about six lines lined up.

“I’m not realising much but a good line and me and Raoul Moat are sort of friends. A couple more lines and we are good buddies.

“A few whiskies, another few lines, I’ve had about eight lines and we went to school together.

“He was in Rothbury, that’s where I used to go fishing so I know the area quite well.

“I’m on my 11th line so if he’s in the woods he’s going to be cold, I’ll get my Barbour out.

“Another line and I have a couple of fishing rods and a chicken. He’s going to need a drink. I’ve had 14 lines now and he’s my brother.